Covid cases breach 5,000-mark in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: The novel coronavirus infection wave continues to be on the rise in city with the case count breaching the 5,000 mark on Thursday with the addition of 307 patients. The new cases included 19 staff members of a nationalised bank’s Hazratganj branch, a former MP and a health worker in KGMU.

Thursday’s tally was once again the highest in UP for the day. The total cases in Lucknow climbed to 5,098 since the outbreak, though 1,864 have been discharged, while 65 lost the battle to virus. The abrupt surge in infection in last one week has increased the gap between infected and cured patients, resulting in 3,196 active cases as on Thursday.
The spike in infection this month can be estimated from the fact that 79% of total cases have been recorded in July.
In fact, there were just about 1,000 Covid patients till June-end, but in July the cases increased by 4,000, witnessing a massive jump of 375%.
Meanwhile, the Hazratganj branch of a nationalised bank was closed for 48 hours for sanitisation. The first case in branch was reported four days ago. On Thursday, 19 employees were also found infected.
Former BSP MP from Dhaurahra, Daud Ahmad, a resident of River Bank Colony, was admitted to a private hospital after testing positive and is on oxygen support.
A woman employee of KGMU’s microbiology department also tested positive. The department has been in the forefront of Covid testing in the state. KGMU spokesperson Dr Sudhir Singh said the employee was not engaged in testing process.
A ward in the emergency wing of SPM Hospital was closed for sanitisation after a woman patient tested positive. Area-wise, Indiranagar registered the highest number of 18 cases even though it is a containment area and strict curbs are in place.
Gomtinagar was next by recording 16 cases, Chinhat 15, Hazratganj 12, Rae Bareli road also 12, Aminabad 11, Aliganj 11 and Alambagh 10 cases, among others.